2019 Château Clerc Milon Grand Cru Classé Pauillac

The Clerc Milon 2019 is composed of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. The grapes were harvested here a little later than at Mouton, from 19 September to 9 October. The wine is a beautiful crystal clear garnet red in colour with violet highlights. The fresh and elegant nose exudes ripe aromas of morello cherries followed by subtle notes of liquorice and toast that complete a rich and complex, yet light and airy bouquet. Initially refined and silky, the wine gathers the power of finely chiselled tannins on the palate, wrapped in fresh flavours of red fruit, dark chocolate and dried flowers. The rich and harmonious flavours lead to a stylish and juicy finish with a slightly minty freshness. This has the potential for incredibly long ageing. Château Clerc Milon is located in the north-east of the Pauillac appellation, on the beautiful Mousset ridge overlooking the Gironde. The estate has some 41 hectares of vines planted on a gentle slope which favours both natural drainage and exposure to sunlight, while the nearby river creates a microclimate which protects the vines from frost in spring, reduces the risk of hail and provides cooling in summer. The soils are composed of sandy gravel and clay-limestone. The vineyard is planted with 5 typical varieties of the region: Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (37%), Cabernet Franc (10%), Petit Verdot (2%) and Carmenere (1%). The average age of the vines is 53 years, probably one of the highest in the Medoc. The density of the vines is high, varying between 8,500 and 10,000 vines per hectare depending on the plot